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I Just built a computer but it randomly freezes

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by lebigcheese, 2004/08/20.

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  1. 2004/08/20
    lebigcheese

    lebigcheese Inactive Thread Starter

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    I just built my very first computer :) . However, whenever i boot it up to Windows, it randomly freezes...meaning...mouse doesnt work, alt+tab doesnt work, not even ctrl+alt+del works. My computer has:

    Windows XP Pro
    512MB DDR Ram (400mHz)
    120G Hard Drive (7200 rpm)
    400W power supply
    ASUS p4p800-e deluxe motherboard
    256MB Video Card
    Sound Card

    I didn't put much on it yet since its my first time.

    Thank you for reading my thread! Hope you may be able to help!
     
    lebigcheese,
    #1
  2. 2004/08/20
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    lebigcheese - Welcome to the Board :)

    Very difficult to analyse your problem right off, but there are a few things you can do to help us along ....

    Right click My Computer > Properties > Manage > Event Viewer and look for red flagged error messages around the time of a freeze. Double click on an error message to open and, if relevant, click on the icon below the up/down arrows to copy the message to the clipboard and paste it into a post here.

    More basic, but essential all the same ......

    Check every internal connection in the PC - remove each cable connection in turn and plug in again. Physically remove each plug in card (PCI & AGP) and reseat them, remove the RAM and reseat it, but don't remove the CPU or the heatsink.

    If the problem remains remove all the plug in cards (sound, modem. etc) leaving just the video card in place and boot up the m/c and run it and replace the cards one by one, reinstalling any necessary drivers until the problem reappears. You are then in the position of knowing that the last card installed has a problem.

    If you have more than one RAM chip remove one temporarily and switch them about - if you have a single chip try putting it in a different slot - check your mobo manual to see if this is possible.

    A final point - have you installed the motherboard drivers for the chipset, etc? these should be on a CD which accompanied the board.
     
    PeteC,
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  4. 2004/08/20
    sparrow

    sparrow Inactive

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    lebigcheese,

    I think of overheating. You should have a temperature monitoring program. If one didn't come with your computer, motherboard monitor is a good one and free.

    BTW, which P4 do you have?
     
    sparrow,
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  5. 2004/08/21
    lebigcheese

    lebigcheese Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thank you guys!...but....

    Thanks for all your help but i finally brought it to repairman...however i have a whole new problem. I was just using my computer when my computer suddenly just shuts off...then it won't come back up again. I REALLY need your help on this one...i just hope its not a burned out motherboard (considering its the most expensive part on the comp :( . So please help me with this problem...i greatly appreciate the response given to my older problem...now plz give me (hopefull) some good news with this new one. I'm feeling a bit nervous right now.

    o ya...um...i also read this article online that one of the main causes of this could be the power supply....(now im just PRAYING that it is)

    p.s. my processor is Pentium 4 Processor 3.0gHzE (for hyperthreading...plz dont use this term cuz i dont kno what the heck it meand...lol)
     
    Last edited: 2004/08/21
    lebigcheese,
    #4
  6. 2004/08/21
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    More details, please!
    As in won't boot up at all or will boot up again after a period of time?

    After it shut(s) down can you hear the fans running or is it totally dead - no fans, no lights?

    If you look inside the case there is often a green LED on the mobo to indicate that power is connected - I use Asus boards for AMD cpu's and have this facility so I would think your Asus board is the same.
     
    PeteC,
    #5
  7. 2004/08/21
    mattman

    mattman Inactive Alumni

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    Hi (and welcome to the BBS),

    Since the system is only young, why not format the drive/s? After formatting reseat those connections as suggested by Pete in his first post (and check through the setup in the motherboard manual). After installing Windows, install the motherboard/chipset drivers, then the video drivers, then (update) DirectX, then the drivers for your other hardware.

    Could also check your memory. Link in my signature.

    Matt
     
    mattman,
    #6
  8. 2004/08/21
    lebigcheese

    lebigcheese Inactive Thread Starter

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    After it shuts down...ALL the stuff inside the computer's dead except for that green light on the motherboard n it won't start back up again, i mean WON'T even turn start the fans n stuff...is my CPU burned? or is it just my power supply? :confused:
     
    lebigcheese,
    #7
  9. 2004/08/21
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Still not completely clear to me if the computer is totally dead or not - have you been able to reboot it since it first shut down unexpextedly?

    The mobo light indicates that there is power to the board, but the lack of fans spinning up on an attempted reboot suggests no power to those. Difficult to say if it is mobo or power supply. I very much doubt that it is a fried CPU.

    I seem to recall that current P4 boards have two power connections to the board - check both by removing them and plugging them in again. Unless you have access to another power supply difficulrt to check out unless you have access to a multimeter.
     
    PeteC,
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  10. 2004/08/21
    sparrow

    sparrow Inactive

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    Doesn't sound like a bad power supply if the led's on, but who knows. Suggest you disconnect from the mains, ground the case, and check that the fan's power cord is properly attached to the mobo. And check all the cables and connectors as above. Also pick up the open case and shake it so anything that may have fallen into it will drop out. Look at all the capacitors (cans) on the mobo to see if any are bulging or leaking and look for any sign of burnout (charred areas, and odors too).

    If everything looks all right, you'll have to consider returning it to the repairman.
     
    sparrow,
    #9
  11. 2004/08/21
    RayH

    RayH Inactive

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    I think you may have bad RAM.
     
    Last edited: 2004/08/21
    RayH,
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